Military Chaplaincy

Just a thought but I wondered if any of those who pass by this blog might consider getting involved as Chaplain to the uniformed cadet or Armed Forces Chaplain's branches?

The Cadet forces' Chaplains find themselves presented with varying degrees of opportunities for pastoral engagements with young people. The 'Padre's Hours' bring challenges, opportunities and discussion. It's not 'God-Bothering' or sermons, it's real down-to-earth dialogue and getting the younger generation to think, challenge and stand up for themselves. There are pastoral care issues for cadets, staff and families and, of course, the opportunities for church parades at relevant times (Trafalgar Day, Battle of Britain, Remembrance, etc.).

The Armed forces' Chaplains are engaged with much the same as the cadet role with the added edge of deployment, casualty notification and all the issues that being an adult and serving (regular or reserve) bring.

Bottom line is that within the military chaplaincy roles there is an opportunity to bring Christ into the lives of a particular group of people and through the Values and Standards teaching engage with them and the Gospel.

Never thought about it before?

Here's your opportunity . . . . .

Unsung heroes

Have you ever stopped to think about the people you come across who run Scouts, Guides, Air, Army and Sea Cadets; St John's Ambulance, youth clubs Boy's and Girl's brigade and so many other groups that it would probably fill a page (at least)?

The discipline and commitment of those who turn up half an hour before the start time of a Kid's Club and set up the equipment, arrange the signing-in sheets and sort the refreshments. That done, these same people open the doors, stop the fights and squabbles over use of the equipment, answer question, hear problems and wonder how they might avoid deafness because of the noise levels! Then, after a couple of hours the same people put it all away again, clean up and leave the place as they find it and then return to do it all over again a few days later and keep doing it, week after week.

Three hours, twice a week, forty to fifty times a year (every year) is a rather large commitment. If we take it as three hundred man hours (women hours too!), it seems to me that volunteers on this basis offer two months of work (assuming 37.5hr week) for free. Now this is commitment and giving on a splendid scale. Multiply this by two or three (in some cases) and you will realise that we have a great many unsung people working with our children for a great many hours and all without pay (and often, without thanks too!)

So here's a thought.

Next week say 'Thank You' to those who work with our children and are making a difference - we owe it to them and those two words would mean a lot to them I'm sure.

So next week is the official Vic the Vicar 'Hug a Volunteer' Week.

Pax